The Great Properties of SHELLAC

 New Additions  Comments Off on The Great Properties of SHELLAC
Apr 182021
 

Shellac’s Great Properties

From The:
Zinsser booklet revised 2004, first published in 1913
and reprinted seventeen times throughout the years.
Shellac has such remarkable properties that if it were just recently discovered, it would be hailed as the miracle finish of the 21st century.

  • All-natural –

Shellac is an all-natural resin that is harvested regularly
and is, therefore, a renewable resource.

  • Mild alcohol odor –

Shellac is dissolved in denatured ethyl alcohol. It has a mild,
antiseptic odor that dissipates quickly as the product dries.

  • Easy to use –

Shellac is user-friendly and virtually goof-proof.
It can be applied with a brush, pad, sprayer or wiping cloth.

  • Super-fast dry time –

Shellac dries to the touch in MINUTES and, in most cases,
can be sanded or recoated in little more than half an hour.

  • Cold temperature application –

Unlike other finishes, shellac can be applied in cold temperatures
(40° F. and below) without concern over proper drying and curing.

  • Non-toxic / hypoallergenic –

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has certified shellac
as a protective glaze for candy and pharmaceuticals.

  • Non-yellowing / non-darkening –

Shellac is UV-resistant and will not yellow
or darken with age, unlike oil-base finishes.

  • Enhances the beauty of wood grain –

Shellac brings out the rich warmth of wood grain.
Finished surfaces look soft and natural, not plastic-coated.

  • Sticks to glossy surfaces and finishes –

Shellac is prized by everyone who uses it for its incredible adhesion.
It will stick to just about anything.

  • Dried film is impervious to odors –

Two or more coats of shellac will seal in any kind of odor
in any type of porous surface.

  • Stain sealer –

Shellac is one of the world’s most effective stain and knot sealers,
another reason why we use it to make B-I-N® Primer-Sealer.

  • Easy to touch up and recoat –

Unlike other finishes, shellac can be easily touched up if it is scratched or worn; a new coat of shellac melts itself into the existing coat.

  • Easy to clean up or remove –

Shellac is dissolved by household ammonia as well as alcohol,
making it very easy to clean brushes and other tools.

&
Best of all, a shellac finish looks great!
Shellac imparts a clear, hard film with a high gloss
that can be buffed to a glowing, velvety sheen.

Shellac in liquid and aerosol form is still the craftsman’s choice
as a finish for woodwork and as a protective sealer for countless uses.

Shellac.net Wood Finish Supply  •  MeritIndustries.com
Authorized Mohawk Distributor

To: Shellac Variety Listing

Common Shellac Myths

 New Additions  Comments Off on Common Shellac Myths
Apr 182021
 

Common Shellac Myths

From The:
Zinsser booklet revised 2004, first published in1913 and reprinted seventeen times throughout the years.

Myth:
Shellac is made from bugs or bug droppings.

FACT:
Shellac is a resin secreted by the lac insect
to form a cocoon, much like a silk worm.
It takes about 100,000 lac bugs to make
1 lb. of shellac resin.

Myth:
A shellac finish turns white
when water touches it.

FACT:
Fresh shellac is remarkably water-resistant
and, in most cases, will stay clear after hours
of exposure to water, making it a great finish
for most interior surfaces, including woodwork, trim,
doors, cabinets, paneling, floors (yes, floors!) and furniture.

Myth:
Shellac scratches easily and is very brittle.

FACT:
Shellac is a durable finish that is much less brittle than lacquer and does not scratch as easily. Unlike polyurethane, a damaged shellac finish can be easily touched up or renewed by applying another coat.

Myth:
Shellac turns an ugly dark color as it ages.

FACT:
Shellac is UV-resistant and does not yellow or darken with age. The dark shellac that people see in older homes is a less-refined version of shellac that either was naturally dark or was tinted by contractors when dark wood colors were preferred in the early 20th century.

Myth:
Shellac is incompatible with other finishes.

FACT:
Shellac will adhere tenaciously when applied over almost any other type of finish. When used as a sealer under certain polyurethanes, regular shellac may not be compatible because it contains a small amount of natural wax. To seal wood before applying polyurethane and other finishes, Zinsser developed Bulls Eye® SealCoat™ a shellac-base universal sealer that is 100% wax-free.

Myth:
Shellac is an old-fashioned, outdated finish.

FACT:
Shellac has more modern features and benefits
than any other wood finish in the world.

See: Shellac Variety Listing

Shellac.net Wood Finish Supply  •  MeritIndustries.com
Authorized Mohawk Distributor